The National
University of Rwanda has conferred honorary doctorate degrees to two prominent
politicians and diplomats; Kamalesh Sharma, the Secretary-General of the
Commonwealth, and Amb. Juma Mwapachu, former Secretary General of the East
African Community (EAC)
The two were presented degrees in
political science and Literature.
The
awards ceremony took place yesterday during a colourful graduation ceremony
where over 3000 students were conferred with Bachelors and Masters degrees in
various disciplines.
The Rector of the National University
of Rwanda, Prof Silas Lwakabamba, noted that the two scholars were awarded due
to their contribution towards the world’s development.
“Both are scholars and opinion leaders
in their own right; both have fought for human rights and the alleviation of
poverty and discrimination and have been good friends of Rwanda,” Lwakabamba
said.
In his acceptance speech, Karma noted
that it was an honour for him to be recognized and observed that the
Commonwealth “will always endeavour for a better change”.
Amb. Mwapachu thanked the university
and hailed its role in the East African region.
“This university is at the forefront
of shaping a new Rwandan identity, building a new strong country. It is playing
a role of forming intellectuals who serve our society. This is a unique
University which is probably not found anywhere in the world,” Mwapachu
observed.
This is the second time the NUR has
made honorary awards. Previously, the university awarded the former United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Sadako Ogata.
By Jean Pierre Bucyensenge
The New Times
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